Global Easy Water - Low cost irrigation systems

Global Easy Water Products (GEWP), a leading social enterprise plans to provide low-cost micro irrigation systems for smallholder farmers in India. The company expects to reach 300,000 families and smallholder farmers with its innovative technology by 2018.

To address the gaps in agricultural technology for many of India’s rural farmers, GEWP’s strategy is to provide greater access to low-cost irrigation solutions. The company has focused on addressing issues of water scarcity to help farmers increase their yields. The company’s main product, KB Drip system, provides low cost micro-irrigation technology that helps small farmers increase their yields by as much as 50%. The company estimates that each system increases net additional income for user farmer households by $400 US per year.

To create awareness about the benefits of the irrigation system, the company hires local vendors, sources from local manufacturers, uses a network of independent retail dealers, and is working to build upon the expertise of local technicians to ensure the final product reaches the smallholder farmer. Smallholder farmers often face low crop yields and with just one harvest a year, it is often difficult for them to earn their way out of poverty.

KB brand drip irrigation systems are useful for crops like vegetables, cotton, sugarcane and horticulture. KB micro sprinklers are suitable for a variety of crops like onion, ginger, garlic and fodder. In addition, the systems typically pay for themselves after one year and are considered easy to install with minimal maintenance.